Saddle Vibrator
WHY PEOPLE USE IT
The hands-free format is the main draw. The user controls stimulation through body weight and movement rather than holding or angling a toy, which frees both hands and allows for a different quality of sensation. The combination of external vibration and internal rotation produces simultaneous stimulation that is difficult to replicate with handheld toys. The saddle format is also popular in BDSM contexts, where a submissive can be made to ride the device to orgasm, sometimes repeatedly, as part of a scene.HOW POPULAR IS IT
Saddle vibrators occupy a niche but devoted following. The high price point of the original Sybian (around USD $1,200) limits mainstream adoption, but lower-cost alternatives have made the format more accessible. The category is well known through pornography, giving it cultural visibility well beyond its actual sales volume.
HISTORY
The Sybian was invented by Dave Lampert in the United States, first conceived in the 1970s and brought to market in 1987. Lampert built the first prototype from sheet metal on a wooden frame. The device gained significant mainstream exposure through the Howard Stern Show, where it became a recurring feature from the 1990s onward. Stern received one as a birthday gift in 2006 and used it regularly for live demonstrations on air, making the Sybian a household name well beyond the sex toy market. The name Sybian derives from Sybaris, an ancient Greek city in southern Italy associated with luxury and pleasure. Lampert died in 2021 at the age of 90. The device is still manufactured by Abco Research Associates in Monticello, Illinois.TYPES OF SADDLE VIBRATOR
Sybian
See: Saddle Vibrator
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Motor power is the key variable. Saddle vibrators range from low-powered consumer versions to the high-output motors in the Sybian, and the difference in sensation is significant. Look for variable speed controls for both the vibration and rotation functions independently. Size and weight matter for storage. The Sybian weighs around 10 kilograms and is not easily concealed. Cheaper alternatives are smaller but typically less powerful. Attachments should be made from body-safe silicone and should be replaceable.TRUSTED BRANDS
Sybian is the original and most powerful option. The Motorbunny is a well-regarded US-made alternative at a lower price point. Both have attachment ecosystems.
WHERE TO BUY IT
Direct from manufacturers (Sybian, Motorbunny) or specialist sex toy retailers. Not typically stocked in physical stores due to size.
- Motorbunny: $700–$800. Includes attachments; accessories sold separately.
- Sybian: $1,400–$1,500. The original; attachments included, with a wide range available.
Rough prices as of June 2026.
HOW TO LOOK AFTER IT
Cleaning
Clean silicone attachments after every use with warm water and unscented soap or a toy-safe cleaner. Do not submerge the main unit. Wipe the saddle surface with a damp cloth and toy cleaner.
Storage
Store attachments separately in a pouch.
- Wikipedia. Sybian. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sybian
- Rolling Stone. Dave Lampert, Inventor of the Sybian Sex Aid, Dead at 90. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/dave-lampert-sybian-sex-aid-1195220/